2020-21 BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD FINALISTS | Best Defensive Player at the FCS Level

Today, 18 defensive players were named to the finalist list for the Buck Buchanan Award. The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) of college football, and was first given in 1995 after the Walter Payton Award was designated solely for offensive players.

Here are the 18 finalists for the award:

1. Bryson Armstrong, Kennesaw State, LB, Sr. (Big South)

Statistics: 30 tackles (21 solo), 5.5 TFL for 27 yards, 1.5 sacks, 75-yard INT TD return (4 games)

2. Jared Brinkman, Northern Iowa, NT, Sr. (Missouri Valley)

Statistics: 38 tackles (16 solo), 9 TFL for 36 yards, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 3 QBH (7 games)

3. Colby Campbell, Presbyterian, LB, Sr. (Pioneer)

Statistics: 96 tackles (47 solo), 7 TFL for 25 yards, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 2 PBU (7 games)

4. Isaiah Chambers, McNeese, DE, Grad (Southland)

Statistics: 32 tackles (17 solo), 14 TFL for 70 yards, 7.5 sacks, 11 QBH, 2 PBU (7 games)

5. Chris Edmonds, Samford, DB, So. (Southern)

Statistics: 40 tackles (24 solo), 2.5 TFL for 4 yards; 2 FF, 1 FR, 4 INTs with 1 TD, 1 PBU (7 games)

6. Mike Greene, James Madison, DL, Sr. (CAA)

Statistics: 15 tackles (9 solo), 8 TFL for 35 yards, 2.5 sacks, 2 QBH, 2 PBU (5 games)

7. Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham, LB, Jr. (Patriot)

Statistics: 22 tackles (11 solo), 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU (2 games)

8. Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State, S, So. (Ohio Valley)

Statistics: 79 tackles (39 solo), 1.5 TFL, 3 INTs, 3 PBU, 1 FR for 64-yard return, 1 QBH (11 games)

9. Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay, Nickel, Sr. (Ohio Valley)

Statistics: 54 tackles (31 solo), 9.5 TFL for 28 yards, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 4 QBH, 1 BK (9 games)

10. Storey Jackson, Prairie View A&M, LB, Sr. (SWAC)

Statistics: 50 tackles (19 solo), 8.5 TFL for 32 yards, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT (3 games)

11. La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis, Southern Utah, LB, Jr. (Big Sky)

Statistics: 57 tackles (39 solo), 9 TFL for 63 yards, 7 sacks, 2 FF, 3 QBH, 2 PBU; 131 scrimmage yards (6 games)

12. Jahari Kay, Sam Houston, DE, Sr. (Southland)

Statistics: 22 tackles (10 solo), 8 TFL for 39 yards, 5.5 sacks, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT, 3 QBH (6 games)

13. Titus Leo, Wagner, LB, Jr. (Northeast)

Statistics: 15 tackles (11 solo), 4 TFL for 16 yards, 2 sacks, 2 FF (2 games)

14. Jordan Lewis, DE, Southern, DE, Jr. (SWAC)

Statistics: 27 tackles (17 solo), 15 TFL for 82 yards, 10.5 sacks, 1 FF (5 games)

15. Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas, CB, Sr. (Southland)

Statistics: 27 tackles (19 solo), 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 3 PBU (7 games)

16. Stone Snyder, VMI, LB, So. (Southern)

Statistics: 76 tackles (25 solo), 9.5 TFL for 64 yards, 8 sacks, 4 QBH (7 games)

17. Tre Walker, Idaho, LB, Jr. (Big Sky)

Statistics: 54 tackles (27 solo), 4.5 TFL for 42 yards, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 1 PBU (4 games)

18. Tristan Wheeler, Richmond, LB, So. (CAA)

Statistics: 38 tackles (16 solo), 2.5 TFL for 3 yards (4 games)